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■  ■ 


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N.  M.  S.  127404 


The  Navy 


as  a 


Special  Field  for  Medical  Work 


By 

The  Surgeon  General 


Illustrated 


f 


WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT  PRINTING  OFFICE 

1916 


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THE  NAVY  AS  A  SPECIAL  FIELD  FOR  MEDICAL  WORK. 

The  attention  of  medical  practitioners,  more  particularly  those  who  have  recently  graduated 
in  medicine,  is  cordially  and  earnestly  invited  to  the  Navy  for  consideration  as  a  special  field  for 
medical  work. 

This  is  the  age  for  specialization  in  medicine,  and  one  when  all  persons  of  the  medical  profession 
are  endeavoring  to  perfect  themselves  in  some  special  branch  of  medicine  upon  which  they  have 
decided  as  their  chosen  life  work. 

Any  military  service  is  a  special  field  of  medical  and  sanitary  practice,  the  conditions  existing 
therein  determining  the  essential  differences  between  it  and  civil  practice. 

It  must  be  remembered,  therefore,  that  the  medical  officer  of  the  Navy  is  a  specialist;  that 
Navy  medical  work  is  a  special  branch  of  medical  and  sanitary  practice  and  must  be  viewed  as  one 
among  the  many  other  special  fields  of  medicine,  as  eye,  ear,  neurology,  hygiene,  etc.;  and  that 
the  practitioner  who  takes  up  this  line  of  work  must  likewise  be  specially  trained  as  is  the  specialist 
in  another  branch.  It,  however,  differs  so  essentially  from  civil  practice  that  this  training  must 
be  of  a  character  peculiar  to  the  problems  of  the  naval  service. 

The  applicant  must  approach  his  decision  to  undertake  this  special  work  as  he  would  the 
question  of  entering  any  other  specialty.  In  conjunction  with  his  duties  the  medical  officer  may 
also  perfect  himself  in  some  branch  of  medicine  for  which  he  has  a  particular  bent  or  liking.  He 
may  specialize  as  a  hygienist,  a  specialist  in  tropical  medicine,  eye,  ear,  etc. 

Let  us  now  look  upon  what  constitutes  this  field  of  medicine. 

The  Navy  consists  of  its  ships  or  floating  force,  its  navy  yards  for  the  building,  repair,  and 
upkeep  of  these  ships,  its  naval  training  stations  for  the  training  of  men  to  man  these  ships  and 
yards,  its  naval  hospitals  for  the  treatment  of  the  sick,  etc.  Each  one  of  these  units  is  a  community 
in  itself,  with  one  department  interdependent  upon  another.  A  ship  with  its  complement  of  several 
hundred  men  is  similar  to  a  small  town,  having  consideration  for  its  water  and  food  supply,  its  sewage 
disposal,  lighting  of  its  passageways  and  living  apartments,  heating  and  ventilation  of  its  living 
quarters,  protection  against  epidemic  diseases,  maintenance  of  the  general  health  of  the  community, 
general  hygienic  and  sanitary  matters;  in  fact,  almost  every  question  that  arises  in  a  small  civilian 
community.  On  board  this  ship  there  are  officials  who  represent  in  a  similar  way  the  various  officials 
of  a  town.  It  can  be  readily  seen,  therefore,  that  the  medical  officer  represents  not  only  the  board 
of  health  but  also  the  sanitary  inspector  and  the  medical  adviser  and  family  physician.  In  other 
words,  he  looks  out  for  the  general  hygienic  and  sanitary  matters  and  treats  all  the  sick.  His  is  a 
combined  duty.  He  represents  all  the  medical  talent  available  to  any  community.  However,  as 
this  community  in  which  he  is  located  moves  about  over  the  globe  from  one  region  to  another,  he 
first  must  deal  with  conditions  of  a  northern  climate  and  again  with  the  conditions  of  a  tropical 
climate.  He  must  at  all  times  maintain  the  health  of  the  personnel  in  the  highest  state  of  effective- 
ness. In  order  to  do  this  the  medical  officer  must  keep  himself  thoroughly  informed  of  advances 
upon  all  medical  matters  and  general  sanitation;  he  must  be  familiar  with  the  latest  information 
relative  to  the  cause  and  prevention  of  disease,  modern  means  of  lighting  and  ventilation,  special 
treatments  of  special  diseases,  and  be  ready  at  any  time  to  undertake  to  the  best  of  his  ability  any 
question  which  may  be  brought  to  his  attention.  It  is  therefore  necessary  that  he  do  much  reading 
of  medical  publications,  and  that  he  must  not  lag  behind  in  the  rapid  advances  of  medical  knowledge, 

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^  c»  ^,«  e  «^c'     .  :.,;  „-'',  '-vj-jjj,  i^AVY  AS  A  SPECIAL  FIELD  FOR  MEDICAL  WOEK. 

The  general  work  of  the  medical  department  consists  of  the  following: 

From  the  practitioner's  standpoint  the  medical  officer  begins  with  the  physical  examination  of 
all  applicants  for  enUstment  or  candidates  for  commission  in  the  Navy  and  Marine  Corps.     In  this 
work  many  men  are  specially  trained,  and  the  work  requires  much  attention  to  detail,  a  thorough 
knowledge  of  the  physical  requirements  and  the  means  of  making  physical  examinations,  in  order 
that  the  men  accepted  may  be  physically  fitted  for  the  occupation  in  which  they  are  to  engage. 
Having  accepted  these  men,  the  medical  officer  must  maintain  them  in  the  best  possible  health. 
These  men  must  be  vaccinated  for  smallpox  and  typhoid;  they  must  be  suitably  clothed,  fed,  and 
supplied  with  heat  and  fresh  air  in  their  living  and  sleeping  apartments.     They  are  subject  to  all 
manner  of  diseases,  many  of  the  contagious  diseases  of  childhood  being  found  among  them  upon 
entrance.     On  board  ship  sick  call  is  held  daily,  and  all  those  who  are  suffering  with  any  disease  oi-^ 
injury  present  themselves  for  treatment.     These  treatments  may  consist  of  temporary  medications,    -, 
applying  emergency  dressings,  and  work  similar  to  an  out-patient  department.     Men  may  be  suf-    , 
fering  from  conditions  which  require  them  to  be  treated  in  bed;  these ,inen  are  admitted  to  the  sick     . 
list  and  are  placed  under  treatment  in  the  sick  bay  (the  ward),  where;|hey  are  kept  until  convales-  . 
cent,  being  nursed  by  members  of  the  Hospital  Corps.     Special  treatment,  such  as  to  the  eye,  ear, 
nose,  and  throat,  etc.,  may  be  required.     Should  surgical  cases  arise,  it  may  be  necessary  to  perform 
minor  and  major  operations  in  the  well-equipped  operating  room  of  the  ship.     Should  at  any  time 
cases  of  a  medical  or  surgical  nature  of  such  a  serious  character  arise  for  the  treatment  of  which 
the  facilities  aboard  the  ship  are  not  adequate,  or  the  case  is  of  such  a  nature  as  to  be  long  drawn 
out,  the  patient  may  be  transferred  from  the  ship  to  the  hospital  ship  or  to  a  naval  hospital  for 
further  observation,  treatment,  and  convalescence.     The  decision  in  this  matter  rests  entirely  with 
the  medical  officer  concerned.     Should  an  epidemic  disease  break  out  the  medical  officer  must  carry 
out  means  of  isolating  all  cases,  fumigating  the  compartments,  and  making  such  disposition  of  the 
circumstances  as  possible.     At  this  point  his  work  joins  that  of  the  Public  Health  officials.     We 
will,  therefore,  look  to  the  general  sanitary  feature  of  the  work. 

General  hygienic  and  sanitary  problems  confront  the  medical  officer  at  all  times.  In  part  there 
are  questions  as  to  ventilation  of  the  ship's  compartments — a  matter  of  the  greatest  importance  on 
board  ship — where  moisture,  heat,  foul  air,  and  the  close  association  of  human  beings  enter  into 
its  consideration;  the  question  of  sufficient  heat  in  order  that  one  part  of  the  ship  will  not  be  too 
hot  and  another  too  cold;  the  isolation  of  cases  and  general  disinfection  and  fumigation  with  refer- 
ence to  contagious  epidemic  infectious  diseases;  the  supervision  of  the  ration,  its  character  and  quan- 
tity; attention  to  the  sewerage  system  of  the  ship,  suitable  bathing  faciHties,  laundry,  etc.  From 
time  to  time  medical  officers  are  assigned  to  duty  with  marine  expeditionary  forces,  this  duty  being 
similar  to  that  of  an  Army  surgeon.  In  this  particular,  therefore,  camp  sanitation  and  hygiene  must 
be  familiar  to  the  medical  officer,  and  general  supervision  of  the  camp,  policing  of  the  grounds,  and 
disposal  of  waste  come  under  his  purview. 

The  medical  department  on  board  ship  is  established  in  a  generous  space,  specifically  provided  for 
in  the  plans  of  the  ship.  This  space  on  the  larger  ships  is  divided  usually  into  an  examining  room, 
a  dispensary,  an  operating  room,  bath  room,  and  a  large  compartment,  termed  the  sick  bay  (similar 
to  a  hospital  ward),  containing  several  beds  for  the  sick,  and  also  a  small  isolation  room  for  conta- 
gious disease.  In  a  near-by  section  of  the  ship  a  storeroom  is  designated  for  medical,  surgical,  and 
other  supplies  only.  The  operating  room  is  equipped  with  modern  appliances,  furniture,  sterilizers, 
and  surgical  instruments,  etc.  The  whole  department  is  furnished  with  all  appurtenances  necessary 
for  the  ordinary  care  of  such  cases  as  may  be  presented. 

In  attendance  upon  the  fleet  there  is  a  hospital  ship  which  in  every  way  is  as  well  equipped 
as  any  civilian  hospital.  This  ship  carries  a  full  staff  of  medical  officers,  most  of  whom  are  specialists 
in  various  branches  of  medicine.  To  this  ship  are  sent  the  sick  of  the  fleet,  those  who  are  critically 
ill,  those  whose  cases  will  require  a  long  time  to  cure,  such  surgical  cases  as  demand  special  care 


'ir^^S;     ^-nr^ 


CHEMICAL  AND  PATHOLOGICAL  LABORATORIES,   UNITED  STATES  NAVAL  MEDICAL  SCHOOL. 


TYPE  OF    MEDICAL  OFFICER'S  QUARTERS. 


TYPE  OF  NAVY  YARD   DISPENSARY  AND  SURGEON'S  OFFICE. 


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50507—16- 


r.co  „c„cee  c 


MAIN   BUILDING,  UNITED  STATES   NAVAL  HOSPITAL,  WASHINGTON,    D.  C. 


OPERATING  ROOM,  UNITED  STATES  NAVAL  HOSPITAL,  WASHINGTON,  D.  C. 


UNITED  STATES  NAVAL  HOSPITAL  FOR  TREATMENT  OF  TUBERCULOSIS, 
LAS  ANIMAS,  COLO 


A  Tf?OPICAL    ST  A  I  i   )N. 


3iftjij!d  '^^^^M^-nf3^^%/<^^^^^  'Wi^&^j  ^^4^KH^. 


WARD   IN   NAVAL  HOSPITAL  IN  THE  TROPICS. 


OPERATING   ROOM,   U.   S.  S.  "SOLACE." 


WARD,  U.  S.  S.  "SOLACE. 


HOISTING   PATIENT  ABOARD  U.  S.  S.  "SOLACE." 


OPERATING    ROOM   ON    MODERN   BATTLESHIP. 


HOSPITAL  CORPS   DETACHMENT  WITH    MARINE  ENCAMPMENT. 


FIELD   LATRINE. 


FIELD  HOSPITAL. 


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t^^^M    f    "S 

HOSPITAL  CORPS  STRETCHER  DRILL. 


HOSPITAL  CORPS  STRETCHER   DRILL. 


THE  NAVY  STRETCHER  (STOKES  SPLINT  STRETCHER). 


PHYSICAL  TRAINING. 


THE   NAVY  AS  A  SPECIAL  FIELD   FOR   MEDICAL   WORK.  5 

and  attention,  all  wounded  from  engagements  on  board  ship,  expeditionary  services,  etc.  This  ship 
is  ordered  from  place  to  place  to  meet  a  demand  for  her  services  in  connection  with  the  employ- 
ment of  Naval  forces. 

There  are  a  number  (i8)  of  large  hospitals  under  the  supervision  of  the  Bureau  of  Medicine 
and  Surgery,  most  of  which  are  established  at  large  cities  like  Boston,  New  York,  Philadelphia, 
etc.,  and  in  foreign  possessions.  These  hospitals  have  a  staff  of  medical  officers,  are  thoroughly 
equipped  with  all  medical  and  surgical  appliances.  X-ray  machines,  hydrotherapeutic  apparatus, 
etc.,  and  to  them  are  sent  the  sick  of  the  fleet,  the  ships,  the  navy  yards,  the  naval  stations,  etc., 
in  the  immediate  vicinity.  These  hospitals  are  conducted  after  the  manner  of  the  civilian  institu- 
tions, the  nursing  staff  consisting  of  a  certain  number  of  nurses  of  the  Nurse  Corps  (female)  of  the 
Navy,  and  the  Hospital  Corps.  To  these  hospitals  as  members  of  the  staff  every  effort  is  made  to 
assign  medical  officers  who  are  qualified  in  particular  lines  of  work,  such  as  a  surgeon,  an  internist, 
an  X-ray  specialist,  an  eye  specialist,  etc. 

At  these  hospitals  and  on  board  the  hospital  ship  are  maintained  laboratories  for  pathological, 
bacteriological,  chemical,  and  other  laboratory  procedures.  The  number  of  these  examinations  in 
all  classes  is  very  large. 

Frequently  those  medical  officers  who  are  detailed  for  duty  with  marine  expeditionary  forces 
are  called  upon  to  supply  medical  attention  to  the  native  inhabitants  of  the  locality  immediately 
surrounding  the  expedition.  In  this  way  frequently  valuable  experience  is  obtained.  Medical 
officers  are  at  times  assigned  to  general  hygienic  and  sanitary  work  in  connection  with  the  develop- 
ment of  certain  island  possessions,  cleaning  up  of  unhealthy  localities  in  adjacent  countries,  etc. 

To  assist  the  medical  officer  in  carrying  on  this  very  extensive  work,  books,  surgical  instru- 
ments, special  instruments,  abundant  dressings,  drugs,  and  general  equipment  are  liberally  supplied 
at  Government  expense  by  the  Bureau  of  Medicine  and  Surgery.  These  means  may  be  obtained 
by  submitting  requisitions  from  time  to  time  to  the  proper  authorities. 

Medical  officers  are  encouraged  in  every  way  to  maintain  themselves  at  the  highest  state  of 
efficiency  in  their  profession.  They  are  encouraged  to  perfect  themselves  in  special  branches  for 
which  they  may  have  a  desire  to  enter,  a  special  bent  or  previous  training.  While  they  are  attached 
to  naval  hospitals,  shore  stations,  and  at  times  on  board  certain  ships  opportunities  are  available 
for  them  to  undertake  courses  in  medical  schools  and  hospitals  at  many  of  the  large  cities  and 
medical  centers.  Medical  officers  who  have  so  trained  themselves  are  encouraged,  in  so  far  as  the 
requirements  of  the  service  permit,  to  pursue  their  specialty,  in  that  they  may  be  detailed  to  duty 
where  an  opportunity  exists,  but  only  when  such  assignments  are  available.  No  special  assignments, 
however,  can  be  made  for  officers  to  undertake  studies  or  for  personal  reasons.  By  means  of  the 
travel  afforded  a  medical  officer  of  the  Navy  he  has  an  available  means  for  cultivating  his  general 
knowledge  of  foreign  lands  and  peoples  in  the  way  of  general  information  as  well  as  professionally. 

The  value  of  the  medical  officer  and  his  department  is  coming  to  be  more  and  more  recognized. 
The  highest  efficiency  in  the  medical  officer  is  expected;  individual  merit  is  thoroughly  appreciated 
and  recognized. 

The  requirements,  appointment,  and  status  pf  the  medical  officer  are  as  follows : 

The  naval  service,  by  reason  of  its  world-wide  intercourse,  requires  in  its  personnel  the  instincts, 
discernment,  and  conduct  of  a  gentleman.  As  officers  of  the  Navy  come  into  contact  with  the 
most  cultivated  and  interesting  people  of  every  country,  it  is  essential  that  personal  qualifications 
should  enter  into  the  determination  of  general  suitability  for  the  service.  The  wide  range  in  the 
character  of  the  work  and  responsibilities  calls  for  high  professional  standards  and  ready  adaptability. 
In  this  connection  also  it  may  be  readily  seen  that  the  appHcant's  general  preUminary  education 
should  be  of  the  best. 


6  THE  NAVY  AS  A  SPECIAL  FIELD  FOR  MEDICAL  WORK. 

Professionally  the  applicant  must  be  a  graduate  from  a  standard,  recognized,  reputable  school 
of  medicine;  evidences  of  his  professional  ability,  periods  of  training  in  actual  practice  or  in  hospitals, 
are  of  advantage  to  the  applicant.  Men  who  have  had  special  training  and  experience  will  find 
that  it  stands  them  in  good  stead  in  later  life. 

Physically  the  applicant  must  come  up  to  the  physical  requirements  and  standards  and  be 
free  from  disease.  The  professional  examination  is  one  which  any  well-qualified  physician  should 
be  able  to  pass,  particularly  those  men  who  have  recently  graduated  from  a  medical  school  or  who 
have  undergone  examinations  for  State  board  registration.  The  examination  is  conducted  in  two 
parts,  the  preliminary  examination  being  that  for  appointment  in  the  Medical  Reserve  Corps. 
Should  the  applicant  pass  this  preliminary  examination,  he  is  given  a  commission  in  the  Medical 
Reserve  Corps  with  a  view  to  attending  a  special  course  of  instruction  and  commissioning  in  the 
regular  corps.  Upon  receiving  a  commission  in  the  Reserve  Corps  the  student  officer  is  detailed 
to  the  Naval  Medical  School  at  Washington,  D.  C,  for  a  special  course  of  instruction  in  the 
various  duties  of  the  medical  officer  of  the  Navy,  in  special  diseases,  in  operative  surgery, 
in  laboratory,  in  drills,  etc.  At  the  end  of  this  course  he  undergoes  the  second  and  final  stage  of 
the  examination,  upon  passing  which  he  is  commissioned  as  an  assistant  surgeon  in  the  regular 
Medical  Corps  of  the  Navy. 

Should  a  student  officer  fail  to  pass  the  examination  at  the  end  of  the  school  course,  he  continues 
as  a  member  of  the  Medical  Reserve  Corps.  His  course  of  instruction  has  been  of  unusual  character 
and  value  and  will  be  found  to  his  advantage  in  the  practice  of  medicine  in  civilian  life. 

Subsequent  to  successfully  completing  the  course  at  the  Naval  Medical  School  and  receiving 
his  commission  as  an  assistant  surgeon  in  the  Medical  Corps  the  officer  is  detailed  to  sea  duty,  the 
cruise  usually  continuing  for  about  three  years.  He  is  then  assigned  to  some  shore  duty  for  a  longer 
or  shorter  period  (usually  about  two  years)  until  his  services  are  again  required  at  sea.  These 
alternating  periods  of  sea  and  shore  duty  continue  until  the  upper  grades  are  reached,  when  the 
officer  is  detailed  to  command  one  of  the  large  hospitals,  the  medical  school,  or  some  other  desirable 
assignment. 

The  status  of  the  medical  officer  is  that  of  a  regular  commissioned  officer  in  the  Navy,  having 
received  his  commission  from  the  President,  with  the  consent  of  Congress,  and  enjoys  all  the  rank, 
pay,  allowances,  privileges,  courtesies,  and  advantages  of  all  other  officers.  In  civil  life  he  is  regarded 
as  holding  a  high  social,  professional,  and  official  standing  and  place.  On  board  ship  he  is  a  ward- 
room officer,  and  his  personal  accommodations  are  the  same  as  those  of  other  officers.  He  has  a 
stateroom  to  himself,  messes  with  all  high-ranking  officers  below  the  rank  of  captain.  On  shore 
he  is  provided  with  quarters  which  are  heated  and  lighted  and  kept  up  at  Government  expense,  or 
in  lieu  thereof  is  granted  a  stated  allowance  in  money  with  which  to  provide  for  himself,  and  may  live 
with  his  family. 

The  tenure  of  office  in  the  Medical  Corps  of  the  Navy  is  for  life,  unless  sooner  terminated  by 
removal,  resignation,  disability,  or  other  casualty. 

Officers  of  the  Medical  Corps  of  the  Navy  are  retired  from  active  service  at  the  age  of  64  years, 
and  when  so  retired  (or  when  retired  from  active  service  for  disability  or  other  casualty  contracted 
in  line  of  duty  before  that  age)  receive  an  annual  pay  for  life  amounting  to  three-fourths  of  the 
(highest)  pay  of  their  grade  at  the  time  of  retirement. 

If,  upon  examination  for  promotion,  an  officer  is  found  disqualified  by  reason  of  physical  disa- 
bility incurred  in  line  of  duty,  he  is  retired  on  an  annual  pay  amounting  to  three-fourths  that  of  the 
grade  to  which  he  is  due  for  promotion. 

When  any  officer  in  the  Medical  Corps  of  the  Navy  has  been  30  years  in  the  service,  he  may,  upon 
his  own  application,  in  the  discretion  of  the  President,  be  retired  from  active  service  and  placed  upon 
the  retired  list  with  an  annual  pay  for  life  amounting  to  three-fourths  of  the  highest  pay  of  his  grade 
at  the  time  of  retirement. 


THE   NAVY  AS  A  SPECIAL  FIELD  FOR  MEDICAL   WORK.  "       *? 

Immediately  upon  official  notification  of  the  death  from  wounds  or  disease,  not  the  result  of  his 
own  misconduct,  of  any  officer  of  the  Navy,  the  Paymaster  General  of  the  Navy  shall  cause  to  be  paid 
to  the  widow,  and  if  no  widow,  to  the  children,  and  if  there  be  no  children,  to  any  other  dependent 
relative  of  such  officer  previously  designated  by  him,  an  amount  equal  to  six  months'  pay  at  the  rate 
of  pay  received  by  such  officer  at  the  date  of  his  death. 

When  traveling  in  the  United  States,  under  orders,  officers  of  the  Navy  receive  8  cents  a  mile  to 
defray  the  expenses  incident  thereto,  and  when  traveling  by  other  than  Government  conveyance  at 
sea  or  outside  the  continental  limits  of  the  United  States  such  officers  are  allowed  actual  expenses, 
estimated  on  a  liberal  basis  and  in  accord  with  the  position  of  an  officer,  both  as  regard  admissible 
items  of  expense  and  the  cost  of  such  items. 

For  every  five  years'  service  the  pay  of  officers  is  increased  lo  per  cent  (though  not  to  exceed  40 
per  cent),  calculated  on  the  annual  base  pay  of  their  grade;  but  the  pay  of  medical  director  is 
limited  to  $5,000,  that  of  medical  inspector  to  $4,500,  and  that  of  surgeon  to  $4,000. 

When  an  officer  goes  to  sea  or  leaves  the  continental  limits  of  the  United  States  under  assignment 
to  stations  or  for  the  performance  of  other  duties  beyond  the  seas,  his  pay  is  increased  10  per  cent, 
and  this  increase  is  calculated  upon  the  pay,  including  increases  for  length  of  service,  which  said 
officer  may  be  receiving  at  the  time  of  entering  upon  such  duty  or  to  which  he  may  succeed  by  virtue 
of  promotion  or  length  of  service  during  the  performance  of  such  duty.  This  increase  for  sea  duty 
or  service  beyond  the  continental  limits  of  the  United  States  does  not  fall  under  the  statutory  restric- 
tions above  mentioned,  which  control  the  increase  of  pay  for  length  of  service  in  the  grades  above 
passed  assistant  surgeon. 

Promotions  to  the  higher  grades  are  made  in  the  order  of  seniority  to  fill  vacancies  as  they  are 
created  (by  resignation,  retirement,  or  death),  and  for  each  promotion  a  physical  and  professional 
examination  is  required  by  law. 

EXPENSES. 

The  expenses  of  an  officer  depend  entirely  upon  his  personal  tastes  and  inclinations.  The  mess 
bill  in  any  mess  averages  $30  per  month.  The  only  mandatory  expense  is  that  of  uniform,  and  here 
again  within  reasonable  limits  an  officer  may  be  as  extravagant  or  conservative  as  he  desires.  Per- 
sonal and  miscellaneous  expenses  are  the  same  as  would  exist  under  the  circumstances  of  civil  life. 

The  duties  of  the  Navy  medical  officer  will  keep  him  fully  occupied. 

The  service  is  eminently  scientific,  following  out  lines  of  research,  of  construction,  of  developing 
improvements,  of  education.  It  is  attended  by  responsibilities  which  are  heavy  and  of  greatest 
importance,  and  frequently  far  overreach  those  in  civilian  practice.  There  are  pleasant  and  unpleas- 
ant duties,  hardships  and  hazards,  as  in  all  walks  of  life.  It  is  however  an  honorable,  progressive, 
stimulating,  self-respecting  calling,  satisfying  to  ambition,  and  of  which  the  medical  man  may  feel 
justly  proud,  for  can  we  not  point  to  the  many  advances  and  discoveries  in  the  development  of  medical 
science  which  have  originated  with  or  have  been  determined  by  medical  men  of  the  military 
establishments  ? 

There  is  also  the  satisfaction  of  giving  a  service  not  only  of  a  special  character  but  also  of  dis- 
tinct and  unusual  value  to  one's  country. 

Note. — For  further  information  address  the  Surgeon  General,  U.  S.  Navy,  Navy  Department,  Washington,  D.  C. 


.•••4 


THE  NAVY  AS  A  SPECIAL  FIELD  FOE  MEDICAL  WORK. 


Examination  Questions  for  Candidates  Desiring  to  Enter  the  Medical  Reserve  Corps  op  the  Navy, 
WITH  A  View  to  Entering  the  Regular  Corps  at  a  Later  Date.    July  6,  1915. 


1.  Describe  the  abdominal  aorta  and  its  branches. 

2.  Describe  the  popliteal  space  and  contents. 

physiology. 

1.  (a)  Define  reflex  action,     (b)  Discuss  reflex  arc,   and 

illustrate  by  diagram  the  simple  reflex  arc  for  the 
spinal  cord,  (c)  How  is  inhibition  of  the  spinal  re- 
flexes brought  about?  (d)  Discuss  the  knee  jerk: 
Method  of  production,  reenforcement. 

2.  Discuss  (a)  secretion  of  gastric  juice;    (b)  changes  in 

food  undergone  in  stomach;  (c)  absorption  from 
stomach. 

general  surgery. 

1.  i)fescribe  Pott's  fracture  and  its  production.    Give  treat- 

ment. 

2.  Symptoms,  diagnosis,  and  treatment  of  acute  appendi- 

citis.    Describe  operation  in  detail. 

general  medicine. 

I.  Discuss:  (a)  Etiology  and  modes  of  conveyance  of 
typhoid  fever,  (b)  Complications  of  diabetes  melli- 
tus.     (c)  Morbid  anatomy  of  Hodgkin's  disease. 


2.  (a)  The  symptoms  and  physical  signs  of  acute  fibrous 
pericarditis,  (b)  Diagnosis  of  uremia,  (c)  The  pa- 
thology and  symptoms  of  herpes  zoster. 

materia  medica  and  therapeutics. 

1.  Digitalis  series :  (a)  Name  three  important  plants  which 

contain  bodies  belonging  to  this  series.  (6)  Name 
three  important  glucosides  in  digitalis,  and  which 
is  the  most  powerful,  (c)  Discuss  the  action  of 
therapeutic  doses  of  digitalis  on  the  mammalian 
heart. 

2.  (a)   Give    four    methods    of    treatment    other    than 

by  drugs,  with  examples  of  each,  (b)  Discuss 
treatment  by  vaccines,  giving  immunological 
principles  involved,  method  of  use,  and  specific 
examples. 

OBSTETRICS. 

I.  (o)  Describe  briefly  a  normal  labor  in  a  primipara,  giv- 
ing the  approximate  duration  of  the  several  steps. 
(b)  Diagnosis  of  extra-uterine  pregnancy. 


Outline  of  Courses  at  the  Naval  Medical  School. 


Surgery,  general,  of  warfare,  operative  (laboratory). 

Ophthalmology. 

Tropical  medicine  (also  laboratory). 

Pathology,         bacteriology,     helminthology     (laboratory 

courses). 
Psychiatry. 
Hygiene,  general,  military  and  naval. 


and 


Chemistry,  volumetric  and  analytical  (laboratory). 
Medical    Department    duties.    Naval    Regulations 

Instructions. 
Drills  for  ambulance  party.  Hospital  Corps,  etc. 
Roentgenology  (including  operation  of  apparatus). 
Correspondence    course   for   Reserve    Corps   and    militia 

officers. 


o 


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